Home -  Contact Us 800.365.1445

The River and Ocean Cruise Experience tm  

Top 25 Viking Cruises for 2023 - 2024. Over 300 cruise itineraries to choose from.

 

Danube River Cruises

Cruising through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries all the way to the Black Sea, the Danube is the soul of Central Europe. Travel along these culture-rich banks, whose scenic vineyards, ancient monasteries and elegant cities have inspired travelers for centuries.

 

Highlights of the Danube River

A Danube River cruise unveils Europe’s rich and dramatic history. Glittering cultural capitals, lush vineyards, magnificent monasteries and endless scenic splendor line the river’s banks. Here are some sample highlights you will see with Viking:

 

  • Enchanting Passau, set where three rivers meet
  • Lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley
  • The baroque splendor of Melk Abbey
  • Vienna’s elegant architecture
  • The splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig
  • Scenic beauty of the picturesque Danube Bend
  • Budapest’s stunning Chain Bridge and Parliament Building
  • Soaring cliffs of the scenic Iron Gate
  • Romania’s rural culture and rich folklore
  • Belgrade’s impressive Kalemegdan Fortress

    •  

    When to cruise the Danube River?

    Spring: Great to see all the flowers in bloom during the spring. Spring temperatures are milder than during the summer.

    Summer: June, July & August are peak season travel months. Larger crowds

    Fall: September to December river cruises are more affordable.

    December: If you’re into unique holiday shopping,  make sure you look into a  Danube Christmas Market cruise
     

    Rhine River Cruises

    Raise a glass of Riesling to acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. See how the Rhine, Main and Moselle river systems unfold to create a spellbinding display of storybook villages, Dutch windmills, German vineyards and Gothic cities.

    Highlights of the Rhine River

    A Rhine River cruise takes you into the heart of Middle Europe, where stately castles, fairytale villages and cultural centers have long been witnesses to history. The river’s banks are brimming with historic treasures, natural beauty and vibrant capitals. Here are a few highlights Viking reveals to you: 

  • Amsterdam’s charming canals and gabled houses
  • Windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cologne’s Gothic Dom
  • Rüdesheim’s wine-growing region
  • Marksburg Castle, perched above scenic Braubach
  • Multicultural Strasbourg
  • Breathtaking views of the legendary Black Forest
  • The distinct French-German culture of Alsace
  • Mythical Lorelei Rock at the Middle Rhine Gorge
  • Stunning Heidelberg, inspiration to writers and philosophers

     

    When to cruise the Rhine River?

     

    Spring : In the spring, high water levels on the Rhine are unpredictable.

    Summer: June, July & August are peak season travel months. Larger crowds

    Fall: From September through October, the weather is dry and the crowds are smaller.

    December: Europe’s holiday season, and Christmas Markets are all along the Rhine.

    What About Water Levels?

    Should water levels recede, Viking has several contingency plans to bypass any affected areas and minimize the impact to each cruisetour. One strategy employed,  is what's know as, a ship swap.  Passengers on a ship that is on one side of a low water level section of the river change places with passengers on a sister ship, where the water levels are fine.  As all Viking Longships are identical, you get the same cabin and continue on with your journey.
     

    Seine River Cruises

    The Seine meanders on a serpentine path through the Norman countryside, an historic region of great pastoral beauty. Drift along dreamy apple orchards and medieval ruins. Explore elegant Paris. See Monet’s Giverny home. And honor World War II heroes on Normandy beaches.

    Highlights of the Seine River

    It is only 110 miles as the crow flies from Paris to the English Channel, but the Seine River snakes its way through 240 miles of magnificent Norman vistas. There is much to see as this waterway winds through France’s history: the riverside cultural monuments of Paris, scenic vistas that still today inspire great artists, farmlands that produce Calvados apple liqueur, and so much more. Here are some select highlights you will enjoy during a Seine river cruise:

    • The magnificent sights of Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame Cathedral
    • Claude Monet’s beautiful house and gardens at Giverny
    • Rouen’s spectacular Gothic cathedral
    • Normandy’s historic beaches, site of the 1944 D-Day landings
    • The remains of Château Gaillard, Richard the Lionheart’s castle
    • Napoleon’s final home, Château de Malmaison
    • Scenic farmlands dotted with Norman cows and half-timbered houses
    • Creamy samples of locally made Brie and Camembert cheeses

     

    When to cruise the Rhine River?

     

    Spring: Best deals  from March to May

    Summer: In the Summer months the weather is hot and with not much rain. The popularity of Visiting Normandy’s historic beaches, site of the 1944 D-Day landings draws large crowds.
    Fall: From September to October, cooler temperatures and little worry about water levels.

    Christmas:  Paris during Christmas. What an experience.

     

    All About European River Cruises

    Immerse yourself in the Old World as you sail Europe’s most iconic rivers. Discover Danube gems like Vienna and Budapest. See storied Rhine castles. Trace French history along the Seine. From the Main to the Moselle, the Douro to the Dordogne, the Viking experience is unsurpassed. Viking takes you to the heart of Europe via its grand waterways, providing you with boundless insight into the continent’s cultural and historic treasures. Immerse yourself in the storybook villages, vibrant cultural centers and picturesque landscapes of The Netherlands, Austria, Germany, France, Hungary and Switzerland, and unlock a whole new world of discovery. Here is a sample of what you will see on one of our European river cruises: 

  • Visits to Germany’s charming wine-producing villages
  • Culinary delights in Lyon, France
  • Medieval Prague, “City of a Thousand Spires”
  • The elegant boulevards and grand monuments of Paris
  • Historic Wittenberg, home to Martin Luther
  • Fairytale windmills of The Netherlands
  • Wine tastings in the quintas of Portugal’s Douro Valley
  • Budapest’s regal Parliament building and Chain Bridge
  • Vienna’s inspirational legacy of classical music
  • France’s famed wineries in Beaujolais, Bordeaux and beyond


    Looking to Book a Viking River Cruise in Europe?

    Cruise Tip:  Before booking that river cruise,  research your options and speak with experts to learn about the best time to go, and what to see & do.
    Get our personal recommendations, based on first-hand knowledge and experience. we'll help you find a European river cruise that fits your budget, travel preferences, and lifestyle. Call us at 800.365.1445 to get your personalized cruise recommendations. The call is free and so is the advice.

    • Did you know?...

    There is no advantage to booking directly with Viking. In fact, there are often monetary and service incentives to booking Viking cruises through one of their Certified Master Viking Cruise Advisors.  These incentives and complimentary perks include available shipboard credit, (up to as much as $400 a couple ) not available directly from Viking. Plus the services of the same advisor from the very start of the planning process to follow-up after your cruise.  At the cruise line you'll be connected to call center agents that you're likely never get to speak to twice again,  as the chances are slim that you reach the same person, every time you call the cruise line for help.

    How to Book a Viking Ocean or River Cruise

    We’re here to help you navigate the many options available to river and ocean cruising. With so many offers, and incentives by Viking, deciding which cruise to take, when to go, and what to do once you get there can often seem overwhelming.

    We are among a select group of leading experts regarding Viking Cruises. Take advantage of our 20 years+ experience and expertise. We offer FREE planning help, with never an obligation to book. Call us at 800.365.1445. The call is free and so is the advice.

    Did you find this article helpful?  Sign up for our newsletter, or request a free price quote via email.  Get exclusive travel offers, and much more.

    We travel to explore, to learn, to understand. We believe travel should be more than just a trip, it should be a doorway to cultural insight & personal enrichment. These intimate, inclusive river and ocean cruise itineraries are designed .to help you explore nuances of your destination: its food, culture, people & customs.
    Links: ( find all the details: Dates, Rates, Destinations, Ships, the Viking Experience and more )

    Viking Cruises

    River Cruises By Region

    Europe

    Danube

    Rhine

    France

    Duoro (Portugal)

    Elbe (Germany)

    Russia & Ukraine

    Russia

    Asia

    Egypt

    Mississippi

    Holiday

    Oberammergau

    Tulip Season

    europe

    Ships

    Why Viking

    My Trip

    Videos

    Ocean Cruises

    Ocean Cruises By Region

    Scandinavia & Northern Europe

    The Americas & Caribbean

    America & Caribbean

    Alaska

    Mediterranean

    Quiet Season Mediterranean

    Asia & Australia

    Russia

    Asia

    Wold & Grand Voyages

    europe

    Expedition Cruises

    Expedition Cruises By Region

    Europe

    Antarctica

    America & Caribbean

    The Arctic

    The Americas & Caribbean

    Great Lakes & Canada

    Grand Journeys

     


    Viking Ocean Cruises

    Viking River Cruises

     

     

     

     






     

     

     

     

     

    Take advantage of our knowledge, experience and expertise.

    Let us help you make an informed river cruise decision. 

    Give us call. We'll give you our unbiased opinion.  Ask all the questions you want. Take all the time you need. We'll help you evaluate your options.

    You pay nothing for our recommendations and our best advice and services are free. Call us at 800.365.1445

     

    © 2019 Cruise Direct Online - Travel Direct Corporation - Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST-31254 - All Rights Reserved | 800.365.1445 Travel Direct may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. NOTICE: Information posted on this web site was accurate when published, but rates, sailing dates, ports-of-call, discounts, special offers and amenities such as shipboard credit or cabin upgrades and all other aspects of any of the cruises listed at this web site can be changed by the cruise line or travel provider without notice. So, contact us or the cruise line to get the latest updated sailing schedule, itinerary, prices and availability BEFORE planning your cruise vacation. "Cruise Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses" if charged, may include any and all fees, charges, tolls and taxes imposed on Viking, by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities, as well as third party fees and charges arising from a vessel's presence in a harbor or port. Cruise Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses may include U.S. customs fees, head taxes, Panama Canal tolls, dockage fees, wharfage fees, inspection fees, pilotage, air taxes, hotel or VAT taxes incurred as part of a land tour, immigration and naturalization fees, and Internal Revenue Service or the equivalent fees, as well as fees associated with navigation, berthing, stevedoring, baggage handling/storage, and security services. Cruise Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses may be assessed per passenger, per berth, per ton or per vessel. Assessments calculated on a per ton or per vessel basis will be spread over the number of passengers on the Vessel. Cruise Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are subject to change and Viking reserves the right to collect any increases in effect at the time of sailing even if the fare has already been paid in full. Shipboard Credit: Shipboard credit if offered, can be redeemed and used onboard the booked Viking cruise. The actual retail value (in USD) of the following: for one (1) to seven (7) nights on Viking vessel, $150 per guest; for eight (8) to fourteen (14) nights on a Viking vessel, $300 per guest and for fifteen plus (15+) nights on a Viking vessel, $500 per guest. ^The Published Rate may include a special limited time offer, such as a 2 for 1 fare, lower price, discount, or reduction in airfare reduction, authorized by Viking Cruises.

    Special requirements
    If you or a guest is pregnant or if there is a need to communicate a request for special meals, medical conditions or physical challenges, you must contact us or the cruise line, prior to booking. Failure to disclose If you or a guest is pregnant, or have any medical conditions or physical challenges may result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued. Minimum age requirements apply.

     

      FREE Planning Advice
    Have Questions?
    Want More Information?
    Get Recommendations from Certified Master River Cruise Advisors
    Call Us at 800.365.1445

    Already Booked? It’s easy to personalize your upcoming cruise Go Here.